When then-Marlies coach Dallas Eakins commented 13 months ago that Nazem Kadri needed to be in better shape, the resultant public frenzy almost made it seem as if the young forward had a body shaped like the Goodyear Blimp.

Just over a year later, Kadri finds himself in the spotlight again, this time with media and talk shows suggesting this could be a make-or-break opportunity for the kid to prove he’s a No. 1 centre as he fills in between Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk for the injured Tyler Bozak.

Talk to him about each of these issues, and Kadri will tell you he feels the same way about both.

They are examples of things being blown out of proportion.

Despite scoring the winning goal in a 4-1 victory over the high-powered Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, Kadri is quick to caution that his role on the team — not to mention his career — will not be defined by his performance on this three-game western swing, even with Bozak remaining back in Toronto with a lower body ailment.

“People definitely read too much into line combinations — who’s in, who’s out, things like that,” he said Monday, shortly after the Leafs had finished practising at Rexall Place. “We’re all here to help each other and go after the same goal, no matter where we play — first, second, third, fourth line. We’re going to do whatever it takes to make the playoffs and make a push for the Stanley Cup.

“Like I said, people read to much into this stuff, especially in a hockey-mad market in Toronto where everything is analyzed. There are a lot of different variables that people don’t understand completely.”

Variables, for instance, such as Randy Carlyle, who is quick to point out that Kadri’s spot in the lineup has as much to do with the rash of injuries the team has suffered as it does about his level of play. In fact, when Kadri’s name came up repeatedly during Carlyle’s meeting with reporters Monday, the no-nonsense coach was quick to point out the young centre’s need to improve in the faceoff circle and in his own zone.

Truth is, if Kadri is searching for that big elusive payday after inking a two-year, $5.8 million US bridge contract during the off-season, he’ll have to elevate his standard of performance no matter where he lines up. At the same time, given the chemistry on the ice and the friendship off it between Kessel and Bozak, don’t be surprised if No. 42 gets his job back between JVR and Kessel once he regains his health.

Of course, given Carlyle’s penchant to tinker, no one is safe from the coach’s reshuffing ways — even Bozak and Kadri.

Nevertheless, Kadri will have his stage upon which to shine during this trek that features games Tuesday in Edmonton. Wednesday in Calgary and Saturday in Vancouver.

And if he requires any motivation to strut his stuff, especially against the Oilers, he need only look across at Eakins, a man he credits for boosting his career while both were with the Marlies.

“He helped me a ton,” Kadri said of Eakins, now the Oilers coach. “He understood my game. He knew what I needed to improve at. He was kind of my mentor in the American League.

“He helped me get my opportunity at this level. Having said that, he wasn’t afraid to give me a swift kick in the behind once in a while.

“He was excellent.”

Even when he raised questions about Kadri’s body fat levels back in September 2012?

“That’s really only the controversy we had,” Kadri said. “I think after talking with him afterward it probably wasn’t the best thing to say.

“That’s players and coaches. You both have to learn, especially in a market like Toronto, what things can and can’t be said. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way.”

Otherwise, in his humble opinion, things might get blown out of proportion.

Kadri keeps his composure in face of media hype

When then-Marlies coach Dallas Eakins commented 13 months ago that Nazem Kadri needed to be in better shape, the resultant public frenzy almost made it seem as if the young forward had a body shaped like the Goodyear Blimp.

Just over a year later, Kadri finds himself in the spotlight again, this time with media and talk shows suggesting this could be a make-or-break opportunity for the kid to prove he’s a No. 1 centre as he fills in between Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk for the injured Tyler Bozak.